Alan King has ruled last year's winner Raya Star out of The Ladbroke (Handicap Hurdle) at Ascot on Saturday and will instead rely on Balder Succes.

Raya Star would have had to carry nearly top weight and will instead run in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Balder Succes, a four-year-old, was a good winner at Haydock last time out and is one of the leading ante-post fancies.

"We were lucky enough to win The Ladbroke last year with Raya Star, but he will wait for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton this time around, so we will rely on Balder Succes at Ascot," King told www.alankingracing.co.uk.

"He is in good form and will hopefully have a decent chance in what is always a very competitive handicap."